Students across Oregon may be able to take online classes as soon as this fall if the state's Education Service Districts can pull together a plan for a statewide cyber-school hub.

"The students would remain in their school district," said James Sager Sr., assistant superintendent of the Northwest Regional ESD. "This is collaborative and cooperative for kids across the state."

Superintendents from nearly all of Oregon's 20 ESDs converged in Salem on March 11 to consider strategies for offering a broad range of online classes. If the plan works, it will be a giant step into 21st century learning for most of Oregon's 197 school districts.

The virtual courses could allow students in the far corners of the state to take the same Advanced Placement courses as students in Beaverton or Lake Oswego. Among the group's priorities are classes enabling students to make up credits to graduate, and classes that offer both high school and college credit, Sager said.

The group will continue to meet and work out details. Sager said students may be able to take one online class or possibly a full load if their parents, teachers and counselors think it's the best option. Nationally, students in states that offer online courses take an average of two a year. Students would access the statewide system of courses through their local ESD.

Oregon's ESDs offer school districts services such as special education, technology, early education and teacher training. They receive state funds and can provide services on a broader scale for less money than schools could alone. Districts pay for some ESD services; access to the online classes may fall into that category.

The cyber courses will give parents another option to Oregon's three online charter schools, said Jim Mabbott, superintendent of the Northwest Regional Education Service District in Hillsboro. A private alternative online school also contracts with 36 Oregon school districts.

"The online situation is out of control in Oregon," Mabbott said. "There should be one online school for the state, and the cost would drop substantially."

Mabbott believes the ESD virtual classes would keep more students -- and the money the state provides to educate each student -- in their home district schools. Students who leave a district for a charter school take about $5,000 in state money with them.

The directors of Oregon's two largest virtual charter schools aren't worried.

"We like competition," said Jerry Wilks, executive director of the Oregon Connections Academy based in Scio. "If they offer something similar, parents will have to decide which one to go with."

The academy, which offers grades K-12 online, has about 2,600 students, the vast majority from outside Scio. Oregon recently passed a law requiring online charter schools to take 50 percent of their students from the local school district, and Connections Academy is seeking a waiver.

Parents at both Connections Academy and Oregon Virtual Academy, near Coos Bay, like the idea of another online option. They might not use the ESD program, they said, but they understand the benefits.

"It's individualized learning," said Mark Scarborough, who has three children at Connections Academy.

Students who quickly grasp the concept can move ahead, and those who don't can work until they understand. At the same time, they "can't coast by," he said. "You can't sit in the back of the class and not do the work."

Cindy McGraw, whose daughter attends Oregon Virtual Academy, said her 12-year-old struggles with reading. The virtual classes have allowed her to slow down and focus on her reading without the peer pressure of a classroom. But McGraw, of Canby, said it's not for everyone. The classes require self-motivation.

A few Oregon school districts, including Corvallis and Salem-Kaiser, also offer online courses, as does Southern Oregon ESD in Medford.

"Online learning has really matured," said Virginia Petitt, online school specialist with the Southern Oregon ESD.

The ESD has offered virtual classes for 10 years to its 13 school districts, plus several outside its region, and is working closely with the statewide ESD group. The 70 cyber courses supplement students' regular classes and give schools an option when they eliminate or reduce courses because of budget cuts, Petitt said.

Tuition is $265 per course, per semester, and reimbursement varies by school district. The fee is waived for low-income students, Petitt said.

Not everyone can take the classes, however.

"Online learning is difficult," Petitt said. "We mandate that the students work through their home district. I need to hear from the school counselor. Then we have a good sense of if they need the class or if it's the right class."